“Spring is the perfect time to examine your health and see what’s working and what isn’t working,” said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, chairman of preventive medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “Recommit to modifying the behaviors you have a shot at changing and create achievable goals with a milestone that is in sight.”

He encourages patients to use tools like one he helped create for the American Heart Association called Life’s Essential 8™, which are key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. Making better choices doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, Lloyd-Jones suggests focusing on one or two healthy habits at a time based on your goals and medical history.

“People try to do too much all at once,” he said. “Small behavior changes are beneficial and can keep you motivated.”

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to living a healthy lifestyle. Finding what works for you sometimes takes trial and error.

Here are ways you can take action today. 

Get outside

The start of spring brings more opportunities to be active outdoors. Warm weather is a huge motivator to get extra exercise. Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity weekly. Just remember that moving your body doesn’t have to be complicated.

“People really don’t have to make a whole production out of it,” Lloyd-Jones said. “Even brisk walking for 10 minutes a few times a day is beneficial. If you can go to a scenic park, that’s great. But if you can’t, just walk around your neighborhood.”

Even better? Invite a friend and catch up while getting your steps together. 

Make sleep a priority

Sleep affects physical health, mood, daily functioning and more. Adults should aim to get 7-9 hours per night. But in spring, increasing light in the evenings can interfere with the body’s natural sleep rhythm.

It is essential to take steps to improve your sleep habits. Try to wake up at the same time daily, avoid using technology too close to bedtime, keep the room cool and dark, and minimize distractions that can disrupt a good night’s sleep. 

Eat Well

Colder months are typically filled with heavy, comfort foods. In warmer months, it’s easier to opt for lighter and healthier foods thanks to an abundance of fruits and vegetables. A healthy eating pattern includes whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and cooking with non-tropical oils, such as olive and canola.

“It’s crystal clear that something grown in the ground or on a tree is likely to be healthier for you,” Lloyd-Jones said.

In warmer months, in-season produce starts to cost less. People also tend to choose healthier cooking methods like grilling. Eating nutritious foods in the proper amounts also helps keep weight in a healthy range. 

Schedule medical visits 

Life gets busy and sometimes making medical appointments gets delayed. But regular visits with your health care team allow you to monitor existing conditions, tackle new issues and discuss ways to break unhealthy habits such as using tobacco. These appointments are also a great time for you and your doctor to check important health care numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

“Knowing these numbers is often the first step because it’s hard to change something if you don’t measure it,” Lloyd-Jones said.  

Keeping an eye on these metrics is necessary because they help monitor silent conditions that often have no obvious symptoms. Plus, many common conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are very manageable with lifestyle modifications and medication. 

Remember to have fun

Research has shown that social interactions provide multiple health benefits. From outdoor barbecues to late-night swim parties, there are so many ways to spend time with friends and family during warmer months. Spring is also a great time to schedule future vacations and plan group activities. 

“When we improve psychological health, it’s also good for our physical health,” Lloyd-Jones said.

Remember, if your health isn’t where you want it to be right now, do not get discouraged.

“The sooner health changes are made, the greater the impact,” Lloyd-Jones said. “But it’s never, never too late to make changes.”